Enayat Behbehani Collection on Post-Islamic Revolution Iran

Enayat Behbehani (March 21, 1927 - August 15, 2013) was a researcher who focused on post-Islamic Iran. He spent many years compiling works and articles about the history of Iran, particularly that of the post-Pahlavi Dynasty. His research was donated to the University of Denver by his two children.

Dates

1988 - 2012

Creator

Extent

Scope and Contents

This collection is a compilation of collected articles and book segments for the purpose of research on Iran. This includes, magazine articles, online articles, segments taken from books, newspaper articles, and some personal notes. These objects are in various languages: Farsi, English, and some French.

Biographical / Historical

"Enayat Behbehani was born in Ahvaz, Iran in 1927 to Abolghassem and Batool Behbehani. He attended and graduated from the prestigious Alborz High School in Tehran.
In 1945, he left Iran to further his education in the United States. After spending a year at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, he headed for East Lansing, Michigan to pursue his degree in Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University. He later completed his Masters in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland before returning to Iran.
Following the entrepeneurial footsteps of the man he admired the most, his father, Enayat, with the latter's help and in partnership with his two brothers and uncle, founded General Industries in the early 1960s. The company engaged in the manufacture, service and distribution of HVAC systems, along with refrigeration and heating products for the consumer and commercial markets. General industries quickly rose to prominence with a dominant market share in Iran. At the behest of his family and once again following his father's lead, Enayat launched his political career in the early 1970s. His unquenchable love of country and a natural acumen for politics fueled his foray into public service, which started with a post as Vice Chairman of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Enayat was elected by his peers to serve as the Chairman of the Industrialist Union of Iran. The common theme throughout his years of service was to promote the development, growth and expansion of domestic industries. He held those offices until the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
In the face of the brutal repression and indiscriminate imprisonments and executions by the Islamic regime, Enayat, along with many other prominent figures, was forced underground into hiding. Following nine months of nerve-wracking planning and evasion, he was ultimately able to find his way out of Iran, crossing into Turkey in September 1979. From that point forward, Enayat lived a life of exile, first in Le Cannet, France for 29 years and later in his final 5 years in Denver, Colorado. During that time, he painstakingly compiled newspaper articles, editorials, and other materials having to do with Iran. He always remained hopeful that some day he would be able to return to his homeland without fear for his family's safety or his own. Enayat Behbehani passed away on August 15th 2013, not having realized his ultimate wish and desire to once again set foot in Iran. He hoped for an opportunity to return to Iran to participate and be party to the rebuilding of a modern century Iran. His casket draped with the Iranian flag and his headstone are further evidence of his eternal love for his country."
-Translated from Rah-E Zendegi Magazine located in Los Angeles, California